Megaphone formed of bendable material



Aug. 8, 1950 H. B. HOCHSTEIN MEGAPHONE FORMED OF BENDABLE MATERIAL Filed Sept. 13, 1947 IN V EN TOR.

Harold BJ'iochsi'ein 15 BY Patented Aug. 8, 1950 MEGAPHONE FORMED OF'BENDABLE MATERIAL Harold B. Hochstein, Mount Kiseo, N. Y., assignor of one-fourth to N. Y.

Irving Schwartz, Brooklyn,

Application September 13, 1947, Serial No. 773,892

My device relates to megaphones and more particularly to devices of this character that may be made from a single sheet or blank of pliable material.

My principal objective is to design and construct such a device from a flat piece of material that could be quickly converted into a megaphone when desired for use.

Another objective of my invention is to overcome one of the principal disadvantages of a device of this character, namely, the lack of means by which a megaphone may be held by the user. Ordinarily a megaphone is cumbersome and awkward to handle and by incorporating a finger grip that is integral with my megaphone, I overcome this disadvantage by providing a simple and easy means for the manipulation and handling of the megaphone.

A further objective is to provide an inexpensive device which could be distributed free at sporting events and on which there would be sufficient space to prominently display the product of an advertiser.

A further advantage of my device is that when not in use as a megaphone, it may be readily collapsed into a fiat condition which provides for easy storage and handling prior to distribution for the purpose to which it is adapted.

Further advantages and unique features of my device will be apparent as I proceed with the description.

With reference to the drawings Figure 1 shows a perspective view of my megaphone;

Figure 2 shows a sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a sectional view on line 33 of Figure l and Figure 4 shows a plan view of the blank from which my megaphone is constructed.

In Figure l I show a perspective view of my megaphone III in its assembled position and ready for use. In Figure 4 I show a plan view of the blank I I from which the megaphone I is formed. The blank II can be any desired material of suitable stiffness that may be rolled or folded into the shape of a megaphone and which possesses the necessary properties to retain the shape into which it is formed. In its preferred form it is planned to stamp the blank II from cardboard or any other suitable material.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the blank II is substantially arcuate in shape having an inner edge I2 with a small radius of curvature and an outer edge I3 with a larger radius of curvature. The

4*Glaims. (Cl. 181-27) curved edges I2 and I3 are joined at their ends by radial straight side edges I4 and I5. Projecting from the side edge I5 is a rectangular tongue member I6 that is equipped with a hole I! that serves as a finger grip in a manner to be described later. Positioned near the edge I4 and extending parallel to the edge I 4 are two spaced parallel slits or openings I8 and I9 which are adapted to coact with the tongue members I6 in interlocking engagement. The blank II is also provided with a fold line indicated at 20 as a means of showing where the blank II should be bent when forming the megaphone I0.

To assemble the blank II to form the megaphone III, the straight edge 2| of the tongue I6 is directed through slit I9 from the outside of the megaphone ID. The tongue I6 then passes over the piece of material between the two slits I8 and I9 and then is directed outward through slit l8. The tongue I6 during this operation is bent on the fold line 20 so that the tongue I6 including the finger grip II will project downward from the body of the megaphone III as shown in Figure 3. When the projecting interlocking tongue I6 is engaged in the slits I8 and I9 a truncated conical form is produced from the blank II which is particularly adapted for use as a megaphone.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, when the megaphone It has been assembled from the blank I I, a strong construction is provided through the interlocking engagement of the tongue I6 with the slits I8 and I9 and by the overlapping of the edges I4 and I5 of the blank II. When assembled that portion 22 of the blank I I positioned between slit I9 and the edge I4 rests on the inner wall of the megaphone providing double thickness to the blank at this point and thereby adding to the rigidity of the megaphone.

As can be seen, my invention in its preferred form is a sturdy megaphone provided with a finger grip which enables the user to handle and manipulate the megaphone with a great deal of ease. The megaphone also possesses suificient space on its outside wall that may be adapted for use as an advertising medium or any other suitable purpose.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to a present preferred form which it may assume, it is not to be limited to such details and form since many changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest aspects. Hence, it is desired to cover any and all forms and modifications of the invention which may come within the language or scope of any one or more of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A megaphone constructed from an arcuate blank of bendable material having spaced parallel slits in one radial edge portion, and a tongue projecting from the other radial edge portion, said blank being bent into a hollow truncated cone open at the ends, and the tongue extending in bent condition inwardly through one of said slits and then outwardly through the other slit providing a radially disposed finger grip for the cone.

2. A megaphone as set forth in claim 1, wherein said radial edge portions are overlapped, and the tongue retains the edge portions in the overlapped relation.

3. A megaphone as set forth in claim 1, wherein 4 said tongue has a hole therein to receive a finger of the user.

4. For producing a megaphone having a grip therefor, an arcuate blank of bendable material having spaced parallel slits in one radial edge portion, and a tongue projecting from the other radial edge portion which may extend through said slits.

HAROLD B. HOCHSTEIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

I UNITED STATES PATENTS 

